Why Dads Should Stay Off of Social Media During a Divorce
If you are like many people who update friends and family through social media, you may want to reconsider that if you are going through a divorce. You are probably aware that what you say on the internet is seen by many people. What you post or write is automatically captured, and your soon-to-be ex-spouse can potentially use it against you during divorce. If you use social media during your divorce, here are some tips to help you protect yourself.
Digital Age Precautions
Social media can complicate a divorce in the blink of an eye. In this digital age, what we say and post will live forever online. Be careful not to give your spouse any ammunition. These are some tips in case you remain active on social media while divorce proceedings are underway:
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Take precautions and change your passwords on everything from email to social media accounts. This will ensure that you maintain your privacy during the divorce. The last thing you want is for your spouse to get the upper hand from any email communications or to post something inappropriate while pretending to be you.
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Do not complain about your spouse. This can escalate the conflict between the two of you and may even influence your divorce. That is the last thing you want, particularly if there are custody issues you still need to agree on. You may think your posts are private, but with the click of a mouse, they can very easily be shared by a mutual friend.
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Do not overshare online. Whatever you post online could be used against you in court. If you post photos of yourself celebrating and drinking with buddies, your spouse could imply that you have a drinking problem and argue that your children would not be safe with you. On the other hand, if you post lavish expenditures and trips, this too could have an impact on financial decisions when it comes time to sort out spousal maintenance or child support.
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Stay away from dating sites or at least be careful what you post. Users tend to stretch the truth on these sites. If you rave about all the money you will get out of the divorce or that you will have more free time, this type of information could be used against you and reflect poorly on you as a father.
Post-Divorce Suggestions
A divorce can be difficult to navigate, especially with children involved. To maintain a positive relationship with your child’s other parent after your divorce, you should simply avoid posting any disparaging information on social media about your ex-wife. We understand that it is impossible to control what others post. But you should try to stay away from photo-sharing sites that allow tagging, which can lead to conflict post-divorce.
Contact a Father’s Rights Lawyer
In this modern world, with the click of a button, you can easily complicate a divorce. Contact a local father’s rights attorney to address any social media concerns you may have and their potential impact on your divorce proceedings.
Sources:
https://qrius.com/how-technology-has-changed-divorce/
https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/facebook_is_unrivaled_leader_for_online_divorce_evidence_survey_says
